Awesome homemade soups made daily at this little family-style diner which offers a larger, more varied menu than many bigger restaurants. One-of-a-kiind sandwiches include gyros, corned beef, and breaded tenderloin. Breakfast is also served. Billed as a "must" stop for anyone in the Wood River area. Hours: Daily 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Home of the $5 pizza on Mondays and 25-cent wings on Wednesday, the Franchise Sports Bar and Grill is an upscale sports bar that is also family friendly. Varied menu which ranges from catfish sandwiches to shrimp/lobster ravioli to ham and beans with cornbread. Hours: Monday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - midnight and Sunday, noon - Midnight.

The original Wood River Sports Bar, Donzo's offers family-friendly dining options as well as a full service bar. Daily specials and even better specials when the Cardinals play the Cubs! Watch your favorite sporting event while you dine. Open daily 11 a.m. - 2 a.m.

Combine gourmet burgers with a sharp bar atmosphere and you will have the Pump House Bar and Grill. The signature Pumpjack Burger is a great "go-to" burger with pepper jack cheese, onion jam, tomato jam and banana peppers. Sides are as fresh as the burgers and sandwiches. Hours: Daily 11 a.m. - 10 a.m. Bar is open until 2 a.m.

Nice, casual, family-oriented diner with the great food you expect from smaller restaurants. Known for their chicken and dumplings, cabbage rolls and burgers as well as their juicy, large chicken wings. Open daily from 5:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Plainview Vineyard grows 17 varieties of grapes as well as blackberries, pears, raspberries, and apples. It is an estate winery meaning the fruit that they grow goes into each bottle of wine. All products are hand crafted. Each process from fruit growth, harvest, fermentation, bottling and sale occurs at the vineyard. A commercial vineyard established in 1998, Plainview is located in a rural location between Carlinville, Il and Gillespie, Il in Macoupin County. Plainview Vineyard first commercial vineyard and winery established in Macoupin County. Our secluded locations give the visitor a quiet, relaxed, atmosphere. Amtrak trains arrive and depart Carlinville daily. Macoupin County Transit offers rides to and from Plainview Vineyard from Carlinville for just $5. Three free samples are offered at their winery. Plainview Vineyard has a State of Illinois shipper and distributor license.

Take a drive down the Great River Road and stop at the Kampsville Inn Restaurant for breakfast (served all day during the week) or their famous fried catfish fillets or catfish fritters. Located on the river, customers can watch the Kampsville Ferry cross while they eat. A full bar is also available. Hours: M - Th 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., F 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.S 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. Su 7 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Fran and Marilyn's is a small town diner with a big menu and even larger portions. Famous for their tasty, yet simple home cooked meals. The homemade pies are their signature dessert and customers often purchase a whole pie as they leave. Hours: Monday - Saturday, 5 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Sunday, 6 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Looking for fresh, hot and substantial Mexican-American food? If you are in Jerseyville, then stop by Los Tres Amigos. Boasting some of the more authentic Mexican food in the area, the fried tacos are a signature offering. Hours: Sunday - Thursday, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. and Friday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Take a step back in time with a visit to this diner which was opened in the 1940's in Jerseyville. Customers come from throughout the bi-state region just for the huge servings of onion rings, which are hand-breaded and fried to perfection. The regulars are friendly and sure to recommend the best menu items for those who don't know what to order. Don't leave before trying one of their homemade pies! Hours: T - S 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. Su 7 a.m. - 2 p.m.

For some of the best Sicilian-style, thin-crust pizza around, look no further than Mike's Pizza and Pasta in Jerseyville. Known for the Margherita Pizza, a nice veggie-style pie, they also offer thick and deep dish pizza delights. Full menu of pasta selections as well. Open Tuesday through Thursday, 4 p.m. - 9 p.m., Friday - Saturday, 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. and Sunday 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.

For a quick bite or a full meal, Mulligan's West in Jerseyville has a wide range of menu options. Appetizers feature "rattlers", "zingers" and "pig tails" with homemade sauces. Salads, sandwiches, steaks, seafood and pasta are also featured menu items. Hours: Open daily 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Full bar which stays open until 1 a.m. Free live music once a month on Saturdays.

Try the "Big Mac" pizza at JR's Place in Hartford and you'll be hooked. This signature pizza tastes just like it's famous namesake burger, but in pizza form. The menu is for those adventurous diners who like to step outside the box when they eat. The kitchen closes early on Saturdays and is not open on Sundays.

Catfish fritters and fried chicken are the specialties for this riverside restaurant. In the winter, view the eagles flying over the Illinois River as you enjoy some of the best fried fish and homecooked meals in Calhoun County. The Barefoot Restaurant is also famous for its ample food portions. Hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

If you have a craving for sweet potato chips, fried chicken, brisket, and fritters in generous portions, then this riverside restaurant is where you need to go. This is the place all the locals go when they want a great meal at a reasonable price. Order a whole fresh pie to take home for a late night snack. You'll be glad you did! Hours: Friday- Saturday 7:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

If it's a burger and fries you want as you eagle watch or relax by the Illinois River, then this is the place to go. It's not a drive in but a sit down restaurant in spite of the name. Enjoy a homemade dessert or ice cream at the end of your meal and relax in this restaurant by the river. Hours: S - Th 7:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. F - S 7:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

A bit off the beaten path, Straight Home Bar and Grill is well worth the effort to find it. The daily lunch specials are out of the ordinary and can run the gamut from crab alfredo entrees to chicken and dumplings to barbeque pork steak. There is no breakfast despite the early opening. But steak entrees are featured every Friday and Saturday. Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 1 a.m., Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 2 a.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. - 2 a.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 2 a.m.

Enjoy award-winning wines at Mary Michelle Winery located at Pere Marquette Lodge in scenic Pere Marquette State Park. The Tasting Room, Fountain Patio and Riverview Terrace are the perfects spots to relax with a glass of wine and unwind. Mary Michelle wines include Norton, Chardonel and Moscato. The winery is open 2 p.m. - 8 p.m. daily.